National Indigenous Eye Health Survey

Project Summary

The National Indigenous Eye Health Survey is designed to provide essential baseline evidence base to be used in the future to plan and prioritise for the effective delivery of eye care in Indigenous Australians. The Survey is designed to assess the prevalence and main causes of vision impairment, as well as utilisation of eye care services, barriers to health and the impact of vision impairment on people.

The survey utilises and relies upon a broad spectrum of expertise within the Indigenous health and eye health sectors. The structure of the project, with its state and national participating organisations, will produce meaningful information on the true extent of Indigenous eye health, the first of its kind in 30 years. This survey will provide definitive and quantitative data from which organisations around the country can advocate and plan service delivery to enhance existing services and develop new referral services. Once this has been done, effective eye health services can be implemented to improve the health status of Indigenous people.

The final report will provide the necessary information for the Government’s National Eye Health Framework. The ultimate goal is to provide the evidence base for the provision of eye care services so they will be available, accessible and appropriate for all Australians.

For more details please contact Sarah Fox on +61 (0) 3 9929 8364 or email: s.fox@unimelb.edu.au